The President’s itinerary includes a series of key partners: the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt, South Africa and Turkey. On this occasion, the Blue House leader is also attending the G20 Summit, held for the first time on African soil. Analysts note that President Lee Jae Myung’s tour carries expectations of opening new avenues for cooperation while reaffirming the Republic of Korea’s position in the Global South.
Given the potential and strengths of each side, Seoul’s aspirations are well within reach. The UAE is the Republic of Korea’s only “special strategic partner” in the region, with annual bilateral trade exceeding 20 billion USD. South Africa, the continent’s largest economy, is a key member of the BRICS group of leading emerging economies. Egypt is not only a manufacturing powerhouse in North Africa but also a gateway connecting Africa, the Middle East and Europe. Meanwhile, Turkey maintains long-standing relations with Seoul and serves as a strategic bridge for Korean goods entering major markets in Europe and the Middle East.
The tour comes at a time of heightened global economic uncertainty. Chey Tae Won, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, observes that rising global protectionism poses serious risks to export-dependent economies, including the Republic of Korea. For this reason, expanding its network of partners is essential for Seoul to diversify export markets and mitigate risks stemming from global trade tensions.
Against this backdrop, President Lee Jae Myung’s trip sends a clear message about the Republic of Korea’s desire to diversify its trade network. With a high-profile delegation featuring major corporations such as Samsung and Hanwha, the tour’s foremost objective is undeniably the promotion of economic cooperation.
During the stop in the UAE, the two sides agreed to pursue a series of joint projects in advanced industries—including artificial intelligence and defence—with a total potential value exceeding 100 billion USD. The Office of the President emphasised that this marks the beginning of a deeper and more comprehensive phase of economic cooperation.
In Egypt, South Africa and Turkey, numerous agreements across energy, defence industry, transportation, infrastructure and high technology were signed, offering fresh momentum for the Korean economy to continue its upward trajectory in the coming period.
The visit also stands out for President Lee Jae Myung’s presence at the G20. The 2025 G20 Summit in South Africa is historic for the entire continent, being the first ever hosted in Africa, and represents an opportunity for Global South nations to assert their voice in addressing global challenges. In this context, the Republic of Korea’s participation at the highest level sends a powerful message of its strong commitment to developing nations.
